根据维州7月生效的一项严格的新规定,在当地放飞氢气球是非法行为,违规个人将面临高达991澳元的罚款,违规公司则面临高达4956澳元的罚款。
据澳新社7月15日报道,维州环保局(EPA)被赋予更多权力,以防止环境遭到污染。根据这项新规,如果个人或者公司放飞多个气球或者被告上法庭,个人罚款将增加到逾1.65万澳元,公司则面临近8.3万澳元罚款。
维州环保局鼓励民众向野生动物保护机构Zoos Victoria举报那些违反新法律的人。环保局表示,气球及其附属物可能会导致野生动物受到严重伤害或死亡,因为在水中漂浮的气球看起来像鱿鱼或者水母,野生动物会误把气球当作食物,维州还发生过海豹等动物被气球丝带缠住事件,这会对动物造成持久伤害。
#Balloons are in the top 3 most most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife. When balloons end up in the #ocean, they can be mistaken by wildlife for food. You can help. Pledge to never use balloons outdoors with @ZoosVictoria: https://t.co/ilGAFKecyE#WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/R0G8lopvj9
— EPA Victoria (@EPA_Victoria) June 8, 2018
维州环保局建议人们采用其他替代方式,例如吹泡泡、使用漂浮花或可回收的旗帜、纸质装饰品,以及种植树木。
维州这项新规在社交媒体上得到了广泛的支持。维州野生动物组织(Wildlife Victoria)在推特上发帖表示,这标志着野生动物的胜利,目前在户外放飞气球是非法的,新规将有助于拯救无数生命,保护野生动物。
This week marks a #WildlifeWin with it now being illegal to release balloons into the environment. Released balloons end up in our waterways & oceans & often get eaten by our seabirds who mistake them for food. This new law will help save countless lives & protect our wildlife. pic.twitter.com/WLIluVyZWm
— Wildlife Victoria (@wildlife_vic) July 14, 2021
还有网友敦促其他地区效仿。
A fantastic win for victorians!! It’s finally considered illegal to release balloons into the environment within Victoria. My only hope is that it soon becomes illegal nationwide. https://t.co/3ByW18E52q
— Kristal Kostoglou (@_Kristal_K) July 13, 2021